Denied Care: Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz’s Fight for Emergency Abortion Access in Texas
- Story
What Happened
Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz sought treatment at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital for an ectopic pregnancy. An emergency room physician acknowledged her fallopian tube could rupture, but the hospital discharged her without treatment or transfer to another facility. She got a second opinion from another OB-GYN, who diagnosed the ectopic pregnancy and performed emergency surgery to save her life. She lost one fallopian tube, compromising her future fertility.
How the Center is Fighting for KelsieHow the Center is Fighting for Kelsie
The Center for Reproductive Rights filed complaints against two hospitals for violating the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law requiring hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment in emergencies.
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“Despite the fact that my life was clearly in danger, the hospital told me that they could not help me. I ended up losing half of my fertility and if I was made to wait any longer, it’s very likely I would have died,” said Norris-De La Cruz.
“The doctors knew I needed an abortion, but these bans are making it nearly impossible to get basic emergency healthcare. So, I’m filing this complaint because women like me deserve justice and accountability from those that hurt us. Texas state officials can’t keep ignoring us. We can’t let them.”
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